Helen Collingwood (Smith, 1949) TB HM AM

Helen Collingwood (Kenneth D. Smith, 1949) is a tall bearded historic iris reaching about 40 inches and blooming midseason to late with classic, high contrast elegance. The standards open in clean white with a soft lavender glow at the base, while the broad falls deepen into rich royal purple with a luminous lighter area around the beard that radiates outward in fine veining. A golden beard adds warmth and definition against the saturated falls. Bred from Extravaganza × Louise Blake and introduced in 1950, this variety earned Honorable Mention in 1950 and Award of Merit in 1952, securing its place among enduring mid-century garden favorites.